System and method for generating a virtual reality scene based on individual asynchronous motion capture recordings

ABSTRACT

A system configured to generate and/or modify three-dimensional scenes comprising animated character(s) based on individual asynchronous motion capture recordings. The system may comprise sensor(s), display(s), and/or processor(s). The system may receive selection of a first character to virtually embody within the virtual space, receive a first request to capture the motion and/or the sound for the first character, and/or record first motion capture information characterizing the motion and/or the sound made by the first user as the first user virtually embodies the first character. The system may receive selection of a second character to virtually embody, receive a second request to capture the motion and/or the sound for the second character, and/or record second motion capture information. The system may generate a compiled virtual reality scene wherein the first character and the second character appear animated within the compiled virtual reality scene contemporaneously.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to a system and method for animating charactersbased on motion capture and/or generating a compiled virtual realityscene based on individual asynchronous motion capture recordings.

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality headset display devices are known. These devicesvisually simulate a user's physical presence in a virtual space.Simulations typically include a 360° view of the user's surroundingvirtual space such that user may turn his head, lean, walk, run, and/orotherwise physically maneuver to view and/or navigate different portionsof the surrounding space.

Motion capture is generally known. A user's motions, sounds, and/orother actions may be captured by a computer and reflected in themotions, sounds, and/or other actions of a character within a scene.

SUMMARY

A system configured to generate and/or modify three-dimensional scenescomprising animated characters based on individual asynchronous motioncapture recordings may enable one or more users to record and/or createvirtual reality content asynchronously. The virtual reality content mayinclude scenes depicting multiple characters and/or the interaction ofthe multiple characters with each other and/or the virtual environment.The system may enable one or more users to asynchronously record theactions of one or more of the multiple characters within the scene viamotion capture. By way of non-limiting example, one or more users mayindividually record the characters (e.g., one at a time per user) thatappear within the same compiled virtual reality scene contemporaneously.When recording the actions to be manifested by one or more of thecharacters within the compiled virtual reality scene contemporaneously,the one or more users may be able to see manifestations of the previousrecorded actions of one or more of the users by one or more othercharacters. As such, the user recording their actions for a givencharacter may be able to interact with and/or react to previouslyrecorded characters contemporaneously as will be reflected in thecompiled virtual reality scene.

As used herein, “virtual reality” may refer to what is traditionallyconsidered virtual reality as well as augmented reality, mixed reality(MR), and/or other similar concepts. In some implementations, “virtualreality” may refer to a form of virtual reality/augmented reality hybridand/or include an aspect and/or ability to view content in an augmentedreality way.

In some implementations, the system may comprise one or more: sensors,computing device(s), displays, server(s), processor(s), electronicstorage, and/or other components. The sensors may be configured togenerate output signals conveying information related to related tomotion, sound, and/or other actions made by one or more users inphysical space. The sensors may be configured to capture the motionand/or the sound made by the one or more users.

The user interface may include a display and/or other components. Thedisplay may be configured to present the virtual reality content to theuser. The display(s) may be configured to present virtual realitycontent to the one or more users. Presentation of the virtual realitycontent via a display may simulate the presence of a user within avirtual space. The virtual space may be fixed relative to physicalspace. The one or more display(s) may be configured to present optionsfor recording the motion and/or the sound for one or more of thecharacters within the virtual space. The display may be controlled bythe processor to present the virtual reality content to the user.

A system configured to generate and/or modify three-dimensional scenescomprising animated characters based on individual asynchronous motioncapture recordings may include one or more server(s) and/or one or morecomputing device(s). The server(s) may include one or more processorsconfigured by machine-readable instructions to execute computer programcomponents. The processor may be configured to execute computer programcomponents. The computer program components may be configured to enablean expert and/or user to interface with the system and/or provide otherfunctionality attributed herein to the computing devices, the sensor,the electronic storage, and/or the processor. The server(s) may includeone or more processors configured by machine-readable instructions toexecute computer program components. The computer program components mayinclude one or more of: a display component, a selection component, amotion capture component, a compilation component, and/or othercomponents.

The display component may be configured to cause the display(s) topresent the virtual reality content, an editing scene, the compiledvirtual reality scene, and/or other content to the user. The displaycomponent may be configured to provide and/or transmit the virtualreality content over the network to one or more computing devices forviewing, recording, editing, and/or otherwise creating and/or sharingthe compiled virtual reality scene.

In some implementations, the virtual reality content may include anediting scene. The editing scene may be an editing version of thecompiled scene that is presented to the one or more users whilerecording motion capture information for one or more characters. Thedisplay component may be configured to generate, provide, and/ortransmit information for providing the editing scene to uses via the oneor more computing device(s).

The selection component may be configured to receive selection of one ormore characters to virtually embody within the virtual space. Selectionof the one or more characters to virtually embody may be input by theone or more users via the user interface. Virtually embodying acharacter within the virtual space may include experiencing and/orinteracting with the virtual space as the character. Virtually embodyinga character may enable a user to record the motion and/or the sound madeby the character within the compiled virtual reality scene. In someimplementations, selection of a first character to virtually embodywithin the virtual space may be received by the selection component.Responsive to receiving selection of the first character by theselection component, the system may enable the first user to record themotion, the sound, and/or other actions to be made by the firstcharacter within the compiled virtual reality scene.

The motion capture component may be configured to receive one or morerequests to capture the motion and/or the sound for one or morecharacters within the compiled virtual reality scene. A request tocapture the motion and/or sound for a character may initiate recordingof the motion, sound, and/or other actions of a user to be manifested bythe character within the compiled virtual reality scene. In someimplementations, the motion capture component may receive a firstrequest to capture the motion, the sound, and/or other actions for thefirst character.

The motion capture component may be configured to record motion captureinformation characterizing the motion and/or the sound made by a user asthe user virtually embodies a character. The motion capture componentmay record the motion capture information based on the output signalsgenerated by the sensors.

In some implementations, the motion capture component may be configuredto record first motion capture information characterizing the motion,the sound, and/or other actions made by the first user as the first uservirtually embodies the first character. The first motion captureinformation may be captured in a manner such that the actions of thefirst user may be manifested by the first character within the compiledvirtual reality scene.

The selection component may be configured to receive selection of asecond character to virtually embody. The second character may beseparate and distinct from the first character. Virtually embodying thesecond character may enable the first user or another user to record oneor more of the motion, the sound, and/or other actions to be made by thesecond character within the compiled virtual reality scene.

The motion capture component may be configured to receive a secondrequest to capture the motion, the sound, and/or other actions for thesecond character. The motion capture component may be configured torecord second motion capture information that characterizes the motion,the sound, and/or the other actions made by the first user or other useras the first user or the other user virtually embodies the secondcharacter. The second motion capture information may be captured in amanner such that the actions of the first user or the other user aremanifested by the second character within the compiled virtual realityscene. The actions of the first user or the other user may be manifestedby the second character within the compiled virtual reality scenecontemporaneously with the actions of the first user manifested by thefirst character within the compiled virtual reality scene. By way ofnon-limiting example, the first character, the second character, and/orother characters may appear to interact with each other and/or react tooccurrences (e.g., actions by one or more characters, and/or otheroccurrences within the virtual space) performed within the same compiledvirtual reality scene.

The compilation component may be configured to generate the compiledvirtual reality scene. In some implementations, compiling the compiledvirtual reality scene may include receiving the compiled virtual realityscene from one or more servers associated with the system. The compiledvirtual reality scene may include animation of the first character, thesecond character, and/or other characters such that the first character,the second character, and/or the other characters appear animated withinthe compiled virtual reality scene contemporaneously.

These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system configured to generate and/or modifythree-dimensional scenes comprising animated characters based onindividual asynchronous motion capture recordings, in accordance withone or more implementations.

FIG. 2 , depicts a computing device illustrated as a virtual realityheadset that is worn on the head of a user, in accordance with one ormore implementations.

FIG. 3 illustrates a server configured to communicate with a computingdevice via a network, in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIG. 4 illustrates an editing scene presented to a user includingoptions for virtual scenery themes selectable by the user, in accordancewith one or more implementations.

FIG. 5 illustrates an editing scene presented to a user includingoptions for characters a user may place within editing scene, inaccordance with one or more implementations.

FIG. 6 illustrates an editing scene presented to a user responsive tothe user selecting a virtual object, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

FIG. 7A illustrates an editing scene in which a user selects a characterto virtually embody, in accordance with one or more implantations.

FIG. 7B illustrates an editing scene wherein user is virtually embodyinga character, in accordance with one or more implantations.

FIG. 8 illustrates an editing scene wherein a user is presented withfacial expression options for a character, in accordance with one ormore implementations.

FIG. 9 illustrates an editing scene depicting a manifestation of auser's previous actions by a first character, in accordance with one ormore implementations.

FIG. 10 illustrates a compiled virtual reality scene, in accordance withone or more implementations.

FIG. 11 illustrates an implementation of a method for animatingcharacters based on motion capture, and/or for playing back individualasynchronous motion capture recordings as a compiled virtual realityscene, in accordance with one or more implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present system may be configured to generate and/or modifythree-dimensional scenes comprising animated characters based onindividual asynchronous motion capture recordings. The present systemmay enable one or more users to record and/or create virtual realitycontent by asynchronously recording individual characters via motioncapture. The individual recordings may be combined into a compiledvirtual reality scene having animated characters that are animated basedon the motion capture information. The one or more users mayindividually record the motion, sound, and/or actions to be manifestedby individual ones of the characters by initiating recording for a givencharacter and performing the motion, sound, and/or other actions. Themotion, sound, and/or actions to be manifested by individual ones of thecharacters within the compiled virtual reality scene may becharacterized by motion capture information recorded by one or moresensors and/or other components of the computing device and/or thesystem. The motion capture information may be recorded individuallyand/or asynchronously such that an aggregation of the individualcharacters recorded (e.g., the compiled virtual reality scene) reflectsthe multiple characters acting, performing, and/or interactingcontemporaneously within the same virtual reality scene (i.e., thecompiled virtual reality scene).

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 configured to generate and/or modifythree-dimensional scenes comprising animated characters based onindividual asynchronous motion capture recordings, in accordance withone or more implementations. System 10 may include one or more sensors18 configured to generate to capture the motion, the sound, and/or theother actions made by the one or more users. Capturing the motion of theone or more users may include capturing the physical movement and/ormuscle articulation of at least a portion of the user's body (e.g.,arms, legs, torso, head, knees, elbows, hands, feet, eyes, mouth, etc.).Capturing the motion of one or more users may include capturing the bodyposition, movement and muscle articulation for large scale body posesand motions, and/or movement and muscle articulation for small scalethings (e.g., eye direction, squinting, and/or other small scalemovement and/or articulation). System 10 may include one or moredisplays that present content to one or more users. The content mayinclude three-dimensional content, two-dimensional content, and/or othercontent. For example, the content may include one or more of virtualreality content, augmented reality content, mixed-media content, and/orother three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional content. Presentation ofthe virtual reality content via a display 16 may simulate presence of auser within a virtual space that is fixed relative to physical space.System 10 may include one or more physical processors 20 configured bymachine-readable instructions 15. System 10 may be configured to receiveselection of a first character to virtually embody within the virtualspace. Virtually embodying the first character may enable a first userto record the motion, the sound, and/or other actions to be made by thefirst character within the compiled virtual reality scene. System 10 mayreceive a first request to capture the motion, the sound, and/or otheractions for the first character. System 10 may record first motioncapture information characterizing the motion, the sound, and/or otheractions made by the first user as the first user virtually embodies thefirst character.

The first motion capture information may be captured in a manner suchthat the actions of the first user may be manifested by the firstcharacter within the compiled virtual reality scene. System 10 may beconfigured to receive selection of a second character to virtuallyembody. The second character may be separate and distinct from the firstcharacter. Virtually embodying the second character may enable the firstuser or another user to record one or more of the motion, the sound,and/or other actions to be made by the second character within thecompiled virtual reality scene. System 10 may receive a second requestto capture the motion, the sound, and/or other actions for the secondcharacter. The system may be configured to record second motion captureinformation that characterizes the motion, the sound, and/or otheractions made by the first user or other user as the first user or theother user virtually embodies the second character. The second motioncapture information may be captured in a manner such that the actions ofthe first user or the other user may be manifested by the secondcharacter contemporaneously with the actions of the first usermanifested by the first character within the compiled virtual realityscene. System 10 may be configured to generate the compiled virtualreality scene including animation of the first character, the secondcharacter, and/or other characters such that the first character, thesecond character, and/or other characters appear animated within thecompiled virtual reality scene contemporaneously.

The compiled virtual reality scene may include one or more of a clip,show, movie, short film, and/or virtual reality experience recordedand/or generated based on motion capture of one or more users. By way ofnon-limiting example, motion capture may include tracking the motion,physical movements, and/or muscle articulations of one or more users.Motion capture may include one or more of body tracking, physicallocation tracking, facial tracking, eye tracking, hand tracking, foottracking, elbow tracking, knee tracking, and/or any type of trackingthat may enable recording and/or capture of users' motions, physicalmovements, muscle articulations, expressions, postures, reflexes, and/orother motions and/or movements. The compiled virtual reality scene mayinclude animations of one or more characters, virtual objects, virtualscenery, virtual scenery objects, and/or other virtual items. Theanimations may be based on the motion capture of the one or more userswhile virtually embodying individual ones of the characters included inthe compiled virtual reality scene. In some implementations, theanimations may be based on user inputs received via one or more inputmethods (e.g., controlled based inputs, and/or other inputs).

By way of non-limiting example, one or more users may individuallyrecord the characters (e.g., one at a time per user) that appear withinthe same compiled virtual reality scene contemporaneously. Whenrecording the actions to be manifested by a character within thecompiled virtual reality scene, system 10 may be configured to presentan editing scene to the user. The editing scene may include themanifestations of one or more users previous motions, sounds, and/oractions by one or more characters such that user may be able to interactwith the previously recorded character(s) while recording the motions,sounds, and/or actions to be manifested by another character. In someimplementations, the editing scene may include a recording input optionto initiate recording of user's actions to be manifested by thecharacter the user selected. As such, the user recording their actionsfor a given character may be able to interact and/or react withpreviously recorded characters contemporaneously as will be reflected inthe compiled virtual reality scene.

As used herein, “virtual reality” may refer to what is traditionallyconsidered virtual reality as well as augmented reality and/or othersimilar concepts. In some implementations, “virtual reality” may referto a form of virtual reality/augmented reality hybrid and/or include anaspect and/or ability to view content in an augmented reality way. Forexample, creators may generate traditional virtual reality content butuse augmented reality cameras to keep the user's peripheral vision openso they can keep an eye on the physical world around them.

In some implementations, system 10 may comprise one or more of a userinterface 14 (which may include a display 16 and/or other components asdescribed herein), sensors 18, a processor 20, electronic storage 30,and/or other components. In some implementations, one or more componentsof system 10 may be included in a single computing device 12. In someimplementations, computing device 12 may be associated with the user.For example, computing device 12 may be owned by the user, carried bythe user, operated by the user, and/or associated with the user in otherways. Computing device 12 may include communication lines, or ports toenable the exchange of information with a network, and/or othercomputing platforms. Computing device may include a plurality ofhardware, software, and/or firmware components operating together toprovide the functionality attributed herein to computing device 12.Computing device 12 may include, for example, a cellular telephone, asmartphone, a laptop, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, atelevision set-top box, smart TV, a gaming console, a virtual realityheadset, and/or other devices. In some implementations, individualcomponents of system 10 (e.g., display 16, sensors 18) may be coupled to(e.g., wired to, configured to wirelessly communicate with) computingdevice 12 without being included in computing device 12. In someimplementations, server 40 may be configured to communicate withcomputing device 12 via a client computing device.

In some implementations, computing device 12 may include one or morecomponents (e.g., hardware and/or software) configured to facilitaterecording of the user motions, sounds, and/or other actions for use bysystem 10. The user motions may include physical movement and/or musclearticulation of at least a portion of the user's body (e.g., arms, legs,torso, head, knees, elbows, hands, feet, eyes, mouth, etc.). Recordinguser motions may account for body position, movement and musclearticulation for large scale body poses, and/or movement and musclearticulation for small scale things (e.g., eye direction, squinting,and/or other small scale movement and/or articulation). This mayinclude, for example, recoding user movements, muscle articulations,positions, gestures, actions, noises, dialogue, and/or other motions,sounds, and/or actions. The one or more components configured tofacilitate recording of user motions, sounds, and/or other actions mayinclude, for example, sensors 18. In some implementations, the one ormore components configured to facilitate recording of user motions,sounds, and/or other actions may include, for example, one or more userinput controllers (e.g., special controllers for puppeteering, etc.).

System 10 may include one or more processor(s) 20 configured bymachine-readable instructions 21 to execute computer program components.The processor may be configured to execute computer program components22-28. The computer program components may be configured to enable anexpert and/or user to interface with the system and/or provide otherfunctionality attributed herein to the computing devices, the sensors,the electronic storage, and/or the processor. The computer programcomponents may include one or more of: a display component 22, aselection component 24, a motion capture component 26, a scenegeneration component 28, and/or other components.

Display component 22 may be configured to cause the display(s) 16 topresent the virtual reality content to one or more users. Presentingvirtual reality content to the one or more users may simulate theuser(s)' presence within a virtual space. The virtual reality contentmay include one or more of an editing scene, the compiled virtualreality scene, and/or other virtual reality content. The displaycomponent may be configured to provide and/or transmit the virtualreality content for presentation over the network to one or morecomputing devices for viewing, recording, editing, and/or otherwisecreating and/or sharing the compiled virtual reality scene.

In some implementations, the virtual reality content may include anediting scene. The editing scene may be an editing version of thecompiled scene that is presented to the one or more users whilerecording motion capture information for one or more characters. In someimplementations, a user may be able to change the timing, physicalplacement, scale, and/or other attributes of the motion captureinformation and/or the compiled virtual reality scene via the editingscene. The display component may be configured to generate, provide,and/or transmit information for providing the virtual reality spaceand/or virtual reality content to users via the one or more computingdevice(s).

The presented virtual reality content may correspond to one or more of aview direction of the user, a physical position of the user, a virtualposition of the user within the virtual space, and/or other information.In some implementations, the display may be included in a virtualreality headset worn by the user. It should be noted that thedescription of the display provided herein is not intended to belimiting. Rather, the description of the display is intended to includefuture evolutions of virtual reality display technology (which may noteven be display based, for example). For example, the display mayinclude cameras and/or systems for augmented reality, and/or otheraugmented reality components, light field imaging devices that projectan image onto the back of a user's retina (e.g., near-eye light fielddisplays, etc.) virtual reality technology that utilizes contact lenses,virtual reality technology that communicates directly with the brain,and/or other display technology.

Views of the virtual space may correspond to a location in the virtualspace (e.g., a location in a scene). The location may have a topography,express contemporaneous interaction between one or more charactersand/or a user, and/or include one or more objects positioned within thetopography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. In someimplementations, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. Thetopography may include dimensions of the space, and/or surface featuresof a surface or objects that are “native” to the space. In someinstances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a groundsurface) that runs through at least a substantial portion of the space.In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with one or morebodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation of gravity-deprived spacewith one or more celestial bodies positioned therein). The views of thevirtual space may be presented to the user such that a user may movethrough the virtual space and interact with the virtual space as theuser would move through and interact with a corresponding physicalspace. For example, a user may walk and/or run through the virtualspace, sit down, stand up, stop and observe an object in the virtualspace, look up/down/left/right/etc., lean to look around an object inthe virtual space, and/or other movements and/or interactions.

The above description of the views of the virtual space is not intendedto be limiting. The virtual space may be expressed in a more limited, orricher, manner. For example, in some implementations, views determinedfor the virtual space may be selected from a limited set of graphicsdepicting an event in a given place within the virtual space. In someimplementations, views determined for the virtual space may includeadditional content (e.g., text, audio, pre-stored video content, and/orother content) that describe, augment, and/or overlay particulars of thecurrent, previous, and/or future state of the place.

System 10 may include user interface 14. User interface 14 may includedisplay 16, one or more input controls, (not illustrated) and/or othercomponents. Display 16 may be configured to present the virtual spaceand/or the virtual reality content to the user. Presentation of thevirtual reality content via display 16 may simulate the presence of auser within a virtual space. The virtual space may be fixed relative tophysical space. System 10 may include multiple displays 16, and/or beconfigured to communicate with one or more servers, computer devices,and/or displays associated with other users. The one or more display(s)may be configured to present options for recording the motion and/or thesound for one or more of the characters within the virtual space. Theoptions may include one or more of: a start/stop option for recordingmotion capture information; character selection options from which auser may select one or more characters to include in the compiledvirtual reality scene; scene selection options from which a user mayselect one or more virtual scenery themes, virtual scenery objects,and/or virtual items; and/or other options. The display may becontrolled by processor 20 to present, select, record, and/or otherwisegenerate the virtual reality content.

FIG. 2 , depicts computing device 12 illustrated as a virtual realityheadset that is worn on the head of a user 200. The virtual realitycontent may be presented to the user in a virtual space via a displayincluded in the headset. The virtual reality headset may be configuredsuch that a perception of a three dimensional space is created by twostereoscopic movies, one generated for each eye, that are each beingrendered in real time and then displayed. The convergence of these twomovies in real time—one image to each eye (along with how those viewsare reactive to viewer head rotation and position in space)—may create aspecific kind of immersive 3D effect and/or a sensation of presence in avirtual world. Presenting the virtual reality content to the user in thevirtual space may include presenting one or more views of the virtualspace to the user. Users may participate in the virtual space byinteracting with content presented to the user in the virtual space. Thecontent presented to the user may include a virtual space having one ormore virtual events, characters, objects, and/or settings; an editingscene; a compiled virtual reality scene; and/or other content. In someimplementations, the virtual reality content may be similarly presentedto the user via one or more screens, projection devices, threedimensional image generation devices, light field imaging devices thatproject an image onto the back of a user's retina, virtual realitytechnology that utilizes contact lenses, virtual reality technology thatcommunicates directly with (e.g., transmits signals to and/or receivessignals from) the brain, and/or other devices configured to display thevirtual reality content to the user.

FIG. 3 illustrates a server 40 configured to communicate with computingdevice via a network, in accordance with one or more implementations. Insome implementations, server 40 may be configured to provide the virtualspace by hosting the virtual reality content over a network, such as theInternet. Server 40 may include electronic storage, one or moreprocessors, communication components, and/or other components. Server 40may include communication lines, or ports to enable the exchange ofinformation with a network and/or other computing devices. Server 40 mayinclude a plurality of hardware, software, and/or firmware componentsoperating together to provide the functionality attributed herein toserver 40. For example, server 40 may be implemented by a cloud ofcomputing devices operating together as server 40.

Server 40 may be configured to execute computer readable instructions toperform one or more functionalities attributed to the computingdevice(s) 12, and/or one or more other functions. By way of non-limitingexample, sever 40 may include one or more processors configured bymachine-readable instructions to host, generate, transmit, provide,and/or facilitate presentation of virtual reality content to thecomputing device(s) 12; provide an editing scene to the computingdevice(s) 12; receive motion capture information from one or more of thecomputing device(s) 12; generate the complied virtual reality scene(e.g., based on the motion capture information received from the one ormore computing device(s)); and/or otherwise facilitate animation ofcharacters based on motion capture and/or generation of a compiledvirtual reality scene based on individual asynchronous motion capturerecordings.

For example, server 40 may be configured such that one or more usersrecord the motion, the sound, and/or the actions for one or morecharacters for a compiled virtual reality scene individually. By way ofnon-limiting example, the motion capture for individual ones of themultiple characters that are to appear animated in a compiled virtualreality scene may be recorded asynchronously by different users, viadifferent computing devices, and/or located at different physicallocations.

External resources 300 may include sources of information that areoutside of system 10, external entities participating with system 10,and/or other resources.

In some implementations, some or all of the functionality attributedherein to external resources 300 may be provided by resources includedin system 10.

Returning to FIG. 1 , sensors 18 may be configured to generate outputsignals conveying information related to related to motion, sound,and/or other actions made by one or more users in physical space.Sensors 18 may, for example, record user movements, musclearticulations, positions, gestures, actions, noises, dialogue, and/orother motions, sounds, and/or actions. Sensors 18 may be configured tocapture the motion and/or the sound made by the one or more users. Themotion(s) captured via sensors 18 may include physical movement and/ormuscle articulation of at least a portion of the user's body (e.g.,arms, legs, torso, head, knees, elbows, hands, feet, eyes, mouth, etc.).Recording user motions may account for body position, movement andmuscle articulation for large scale body poses, and/or movement andmuscle articulation for small scale things (e.g., eye direction,squinting, and/or other small scale movement and/or articulation). Insome implementations, the sensors may include one or more cameras and/orother optical sensors, inertial sensors, mechanical motion sensors,magnetic sensors, depth sensors, microphones, gyrosensor, accelerometer,laser position sensor, pressure sensors, volumetric sensors, voxelrecordings/sensors, and/or other sensors.

FIG. 4 illustrates an editing scene 400 presented to a user includingoptions 402 for virtual scenery themes selectable by the user. Editingscene 400 may be presented by a display the same as or similar todisplay 16. The user may interact with the editing scene and/or selectone or more options within the editing scene via one or more inputcontrols 404. Editing scene 400 may represent the virtual space in whichthe user's presence is simulated. The editing scene 400 may be virtualreality content presented to the user via a display (e.g., a headmounted display and/or other display).

Editing scene 400 may present options 402 for virtual scenery themes.The user may be able to select a virtual scenery theme 406 to apply tothe virtual space for the compiled virtual reality scene. Responsive tothe user selecting the virtual scenery theme 406 to apply to the virtualspace, the virtual scenery theme 406 may be applied to the virtualspace. By way of non-limiting example, virtual scenery theme 406 mayinclude a desert such that applying virtual scenery theme 406 includespresenting a desert virtual reality content such that the user'spresence within the desert is simulated.

Returning to FIG. 1 , selection component 24 may be configured toreceive selection of one or more characters to virtually embody withinthe virtual space. Selection of the one or more characters to virtuallyembody may be input by the one or more users via user interface 14.Virtually embodying a character within the virtual space may includeexperiencing the virtual space as the character. Experiencing thevirtual space as the character may include, for example, viewing thevirtual space from the perspective of the character, moving within thevirtual space as the character, interacting with the virtual spaceand/or other characters within the virtual space as the character,controlling the character's actions within the virtual space byperforming the actions in real world physical space, and/or otherwiseembodying the character within the virtual space. Virtually embodying acharacter may enable a user to record the motion and/or the sound madeby the character within the compiled virtual reality scene.

In some implementations, selection of a first character to virtuallyembody within the virtual space may be received by selection component24. Responsive to receiving selection of the first character by theselection component 24, the system may enable the first user to recordthe motion and/or the sound to be made by the first character within thecompiled virtual reality scene. Selection of the first character may bereceived by selection component 24 from one or more input controlsassociated with user interface 14.

Selection component 24 may be configured to receive selection of asecond character for a user virtually embody. The second character maybe separate and distinct from the first character. Virtually embodyingthe second character may enable a first user or another user to recordone or more of the motion, the sound, and/or other actions to be made bythe second character within the compiled virtual reality scene. In someimplementations, selection of the second character may be received byselection component 24 after first motion capture informationcharacterizing the motion, the sound, and/or the other actions made bythe first user as the first user virtually embodies the first characteris recorded. In some implementations, selection of the second characteris received from a second display for a second computing deviceassociated with a second user. The second motion capture information maycharacterize the motion, sound, and/or other actions made by the seconduser. The second user may be a different user than the first user. Afirst computing device associated with a first user may be separate anddistinct from a second display for a second computing device associatedwith a second user.

In some implementations, selection component 24 may be configured toreceive selection of a third character for a user to virtually embody.The third character may be separate and/or distinct from the firstcharacter, the second character, and/or other characters within theediting scene and/or the compiled virtual reality scene. Virtuallyembodying the third character may enable the first user or a differentuser to record one or more of the motion, the sound, and/or otheractions to be made by the third character within the compiled virtualreality scene. By way of non-limiting example, the actions manifestedwithin the compiled virtual reality scene by one, two, or all three ofthe first character, the second character, and/or third character maycorrespond to the actions of one user, two different users, threedifferent users, and/or any number of different users. In someimplementations, the first computing device and the second computingdevice may be physically located in different locations such thatinformation indicating portions of the compiled virtual reality scenemust be transmitted over a network to one or more server(s) 40, one ormore computing device(s) 12, and/or external resources 300.

In some implementations, selection component 24, may be configured toindividually receive selection of any number of characters for a userand/or multiple users to virtually embody individually and/or together.Motion capture information may be recorded for the any number ofcharacters such that the compiled virtual reality scene may include anynumber of animated characters (e.g., two or more, three or more, four ormore, five or more, “n” or more, etc.) manifesting the motions, sounds,and/or other actions of the user and/or multiple users.

One or more users may create the virtual space depicted in the compiledvirtual reality scene by selecting, placing, and/or modifying virtualreality content items within the virtual space. The virtual realitycontent items may include one or more characters, virtual objects,virtual scenery themes, virtual scenery items, and/or other virtualreality content items. The characters may include virtual characterswithin a virtual space, virtual objects, virtual creatures, and/or othercharacters. For example, the characters may include avatars and/or anyother character(s). A compiled virtual reality scene may includemultiple animated characters (e.g., two or more, three or more, four ormore, five or more, “n” or more, etc.). The characters may be animated,partially animated, reflections of the users, live action, and/or othertypes of characters. The characters may be animated based on motioncapture information corresponding to the motions, sounds, and/or actionsmade by one or more users. The one or more users may place and/or selectavatars in the virtual space and initiate recording of their motionsand/or sounds for individual avatars that are to be manifested by theindividual avatars in the compiled scene. The individual motion capturerecordings of the one or more users may correspond to individualavatars. The individual motion capture recordings may be recordedasynchronously (e.g., one-at-a-time, etc.).

Some of the individual motion capture recordings may not be capturedasynchronously. The motion capture recordings for some of the charactersto be animated within a compiled virtual reality scene may be capturedtogether, and/or other motion capture recordings for other characters tobe animated contemporaneously within the same compiled virtual realityscene may be captured asynchronously. By way of non-limiting example,two or more of the individual motion capture recordings for one or morecharacters to be animated within a compiled virtual reality scene may becaptured together and/or at the same time. Another individual motioncapture recording for another character may be captured at a differenttime and/or separately.

In some implementations, selection component 24 may be configured toreceive selection of one or more characters, virtual objects, virtualscenery themes, virtual scenery items, and/or characters for placementwithin the editing scene. The arrangement one or more virtual objects,virtual scenery themes, virtual scenery items, and/or characters withinthe editing scene may be reflected in one or more segments of thecompiled virtual reality scene. In some implementations, responsive toone or more characters being placed within the editing scene, theselection component 24 may be configured to receive selection of anindividual character the user chooses to virtually embody.

FIG. 5 illustrates an editing scene 500 presented to a user includingoptions for characters 502 a user may place within editing scene 500, inaccordance with one or more implementations. Editing scene 500 may bepresented by a display the same as or similar to display 16. The usermay interact with the editing scene and/or select one or more optionswithin the editing scene via one or more input controls 504. Editingscene 500 may represent the virtual space in which the user's presentedis simulated. Editing scene 500 may be virtual reality content presentedto the user via a display (e.g., a head mounted display and/or otherdisplay).

Editing scene 500 may present options for characters 502 that may beplaced within the editing scene. The user may be able to select one ormore characters to place within the editing scene and/or to be reflectedin the compiled virtual reality scene. Responsive to the user selectingavatar 506, the user may be able to place avatar 506 within the editingscene. By way of non-limiting example, avatar 506 may include an alien.

FIG. 6 illustrates an editing scene 600 presented to user 601 responsiveto user selecting virtual object 602, in accordance with one or moreimplementations. Editing scene 600 may be presented by display 603(e.g., the same as or similar to display 16). User 601 may interact withediting scene 600 and/or control the placement of virtual object 602 viaone or more input controls 604. Editing scene 600 may represent thevirtual space in which the user's 601 presence is simulated. Editingscene 600 may be virtual reality content presented to user 601 viadisplay 603 (e.g., a head mounted display and/or other display). Editingscene 600 may enable a user 601 to move object 602 to a user dictatedlocation within editing scene 600. By way of non-limiting example,object 602 include a prop to be presented within the compiled virtualreality scene.

FIG. 7A illustrates editing scene 700 in which user 701 selectscharacter 702 to virtually embody, in accordance with one or moreimplantations. FIG. 7B illustrates editing scene 700 wherein user 701 isvirtually embodying character 702, in accordance with one or moreimplantations. Editing scene 700 may be presented via display 703 thesame as or similar to display 16. User 701 may select character 702 tovirtually embody via one or more input controls 704. Editing scene 700may represent the virtual space in which the user's presence issimulated. Editing scene 700 may include virtual reality contentpresented to the user via display 703 (e.g., a head mounted displayand/or other display).

Editing scene 700 may include other character(s) 706 in addition tocharacter from which user 701 may select to virtually embody. Asillustrated in FIG. 7B, responsive to user 701 selecting character 702to virtually embody, user 701 may be able to experience the virtualspace as character 702. Editing scene 700 may include a recording option(e.g., “REC” button, etc.) 707 that may be selected by user 701 toinitiate recording of motion capture information reflecting the motion,sound, and/or other actions made by user 701 to be manifested bycharacter 702 within a compiled virtual reality scene.

Returning to FIG. 1 , selection component 24 may be configured toreceive of a facial expression for one or more of the characters. Assuch, the motion capture information may include one or more facialexpressions for the characters. The facial expressions may be timedand/or selected to correspond with the motions, the sound, and/or otheractions performed by the user. In some implementations, selectioncomponent 24 may be configured to receive selection of a first facialexpression for the first character. The first motion capture informationmay include the first facial expression for the first character. Assuch, one or more of the actions of the first user may be manifested inthe compiled virtual reality scene by the first character with the firstfacial expression.

In some implementations, other expressions, motions, and/or actions forone or more other portions of the character may be selected by one ormore users and/or received by selection component 24. The otherexpressions, motions, and/or actions for other portions of one or moreof the characters may be manifested in the compiled virtual realityscene. The other expressions, motions, and/or other actions may beselected for one or more of the body, hands, feet, eyes, face, mouth,toes, and/or other portions of one or more of the characters. In someimplementations, the motion capture information may include motioncapture information recorded by a user as the user virtually embodiesone or more of the characters, and/or motion capture informationselected via one or more user controls and/or the editing scene (e.g.,separate from the users' virtual embodiment of the character). Themotion capture information selected via the editing scene may includeselected expressions, motions, and/or actions for one or portions ofindividual characters received by selection component 24. By way ofnon-liming example, the user may be able to select one or more of otherexpressions, motions, and/or actions for one or more portions of one ormore of the characters by using their thumbs and/or fingers to controluser input controls to make selections.

FIG. 8 illustrates editing scene 800 wherein a user is presented withfacial expression options 802 for character 804, in accordance with oneor more implementations. Responsive to the user selecting facialexpression 801, facial expression 801 may be reflected by character 804while character 804 manifests the actions of user within the compiledvirtual reality scene. In some implementations, a virtual reflectivesurface 806 may be presented within the virtual space such that the useris able to preview and/or view the facial expression selected. By way ofnon-limiting example, the user may select facial expression 801 to bereflected by character 804 for the portion of the scene prior torequesting to capture the motion and/or the sound for character 804based on the motion and/or sound made by the user while virtuallyembodying character 804. User input controls (not pictured) may be usedto make one or more selections within editing scene 800. By way ofnon-liming example, the user may be able to select one or more of thefacial expression options 802 by using their thumbs and/or fingers tocontrol the user input controls and select one or more the facialexpression options 802.

Motion capture component 26 may be configured to receive requests tocapture the motion, the sound, and/or other actions for one or morecharacters. The requests may be to capture the motion, the sound, and/orother actions to be manifested within the compiled virtual reality sceneby the one or more characters. A request to capture the motion, sound,and/or other action for a character may initiate recording of themotion, sound, and/or other actions of a user to be manifested by thecharacter within the compiled virtual reality scene. Motion capturecomponent 26 may be configured to record motion capture informationcharacterizing the motion, the sound, and/or other actions made by auser as the user virtually embodies a character. Motion capturecomponent 26 may record the motion capture information based on theoutput signals generated by the sensors.

In some implementations, motion capture component 26 may receive a firstrequest to capture the motion, the sound, and/or other actions for thefirst character; a second capture request to capture the motion, thesound, and/or other actions for the second character, a third request tocapture motion, the sound, and/or other actions for the third character;and/or another request to capture the motion, sound, and/or otheractions for other characters.

Motion capture component 26 may be configured to record first motioncapture information characterizing the motion, the sound, and/or otheractions made by the first user as the first user virtually embodies thefirst character. The first motion capture information may be captured ina manner such that the actions of the first user may be manifested bythe first character within the compiled virtual reality scene. Motioncapture component 26 may be configured to receive a second request tocapture the motion, the sound, and/or other actions for the secondcharacter. By way of non-limiting example, the second request may bereceived after the first motion capture information is recorded. In someimplementations, the second request to capture the motion, the sound,and/or other action for the second character may be responsive toreceiving selection of the second character for the user to virtuallyembody.

Motion capture component 26 may be configured to record second motioncapture information. The second motion capture information maycharacterize the motion, the sound, and/or the other actions made by thefirst user or another user as the first user or the other user virtuallyembodies the second character. The second motion capture information maybe captured in a manner such that the actions of the first user or theother user are manifested by the second character within the compiledvirtual reality scene. The actions of the first user or the other usermay be manifested by the second character within the compiled virtualreality scene contemporaneously with the actions of the first usermanifested by the first character within the compiled virtual realityscene. By way of non-limiting example, the first character, the secondcharacter, and/or other characters may appear to interact with eachother and/or react to occurrences (e.g., actions by one or morecharacters, and/or other occurrences within the virtual space) performedwithin the same compiled virtual reality scene.

In some implementations, the motion capture component 26 may beconfigured to capture sound and/or motion for a given characterseparately. For example, sound and/or voice information may be added toanimated characters after their motion has been recorded. By way ofnon-limiting example, a first user may record the motion for the firstcharacter and/or a second user may (e.g., asynchronously) record thesound for the first character.

In some implementations, responsive to motion capture component 26receiving the second request to capture the motion, the sound, and/orother actions for the second character, the editing scene may bepresented to the first user or the other user. The editing scene mayinclude a manifestation of the first user's actions by the firstcharacter presented contemporaneously to the first user or the otheruser while the second motion capture information is being recorded. Oneor more display(s) 16 and/or computing device(s) 12 may be configured toconfigured to present the editing scene including one or moremanifestations of one or more users' actions by one or more charactersbased on previously recorded motion capture information while recordingsubsequent motion capture information characterizing the motion and/orthe sound made by the users as the users virtually embody one or morecharacters.

FIG. 9 illustrates an editing scene 900 depicting a manifestation of auser's previous actions by first character 902, in accordance with oneor more implementations. The manifestation of a user's previous actionsby first character 902 may be based on previously recorded motioncapture information may be presented to user 904 while user 904 isvirtually embodying a second character 906 (not illustrated) and/orrecording second motion capture information that characterizes themotion and the sound made by user 904 to be manifested by secondcharacter 906 in the compiled virtual reality scene contemporaneouslywith first character 902. User 904 may be able to see, react to, and/orotherwise interact with previously recorded first character 902 whilerecording second character 906 that user 904 is virtually embodying.User 904 may be able to view previously recorded first character 902 viaa display 908. User input controls 910 may be used to make one or moreselections within editing scene 900.

Returning to FIG. 1 , the same user that virtually embodied the firstcharacter and/or initiated recording of the first motion captureinformation for the first character based on their actions, may be theuser that virtually embodies the second character and/or initiatesrecording of the second motion capture information for the secondcharacter based on their actions. In some implementations, the user thatvirtually embodied the first character and/or initiated recording of thefirst motion capture information for the first character based on theiractions, may be a different user than the other user that virtuallyembodies the second character and/or initiates recording motion captureinformation for the second character based on his actions.

In some implementations, a third request to capture the motion, thesound, and/or other actions for the third character may be received bymotion capture component 26. Motion capture component 26 may beconfigured to record third motion capture information. The third motioncapture information may characterize the motion, the sound, and/or otheractions made by the first user or the different user as the first useror the different user virtually embodies the third character. The thirdmotion capture information may be captured in a manner such that theactions of the first user or the different user are manifested by thethird character contemporaneously with the actions of the first usermanifested by the first character, the actions of the first user or theother user manifested by the second character, and/or the actions ofanother user manifested by another character within the compiled virtualreality scene.

In some implementations, first motion capture information maycharacterize the motion or the sound made by the first user, the secondmotion capture information may characterize the motion and/or the soundmade by the second user, and/or the third motion capture information maycharacterize the motion and/or the sound made by the first user. In someimplementations, the first motion capture information may characterizethe motion or the sound made by the first user, the second motioncapture information may characterize the motion and/or the sound made bya second user, and/or the third motion capture information maycharacterize the motion and/or the sound made by a third user. The firstuser, the second user, and/or the third user may be different. In someimplementations, the first user, the second user, and/or the third usermay be are associated with different computing devices located atdifferent physical locations. In some implementations, the motion,sound, and/or other actions of three or more users may be capturedand/or manifested by any number of characters within the compiledvirtual reality scene.

By way of non-limiting example, recording of the first motion captureinformation may take place in one part of the world and/or be uploadedfor sharing (e.g., via the cloud/server, etc.). Continuing thenon-limiting use example, the second motion capture information may berecorded based on the motions, sounds, and/or actions of another user,who reacts to the first motion capture information. The second motioncapture information may be recorded in response to the other userobtaining the recording of the first motion capture information via thecould/server. The second motion capture information may be shared viathe cloud/server, etc.

Scene generation component 28 may be configured to generate the compiledvirtual reality scene. The compiled virtual reality scene may includeanimation of the first character, the second character, the thirdcharacter, and/or other characters. The compiled virtual reality scenemay be generated such that the first character, the second character,the third character, and/or other characters appear animated within thecompiled virtual reality scene contemporaneously. As such, the motion,sound, and/or other actions for the different characters within a givencompiled virtual reality scene may be recorded asynchronously, but stillappear animated within the compiled virtual reality scenecontemporaneously (e.g., according to the same timeline, etc.). As such,asynchronously recorded characters may appear to interact with eachother and/or react to each other, even though the characters' actionsmay be recorded independently, separately, one at a time, with differentcomputing devices, by different users, and/or at different physicallocations.

In some implementations, a user may be able to select when (e.g., apoint in time, a time period, etc.) within, the compiled virtual realityscene, their actions will be manifested by a given character. As such,returning to selection component 24, selection of a start time within atimeline of the compiled scene may be received. The start time withinthe timeline of the compiled scene may indicate when the first charactershould start manifesting the actions of the first user within thecompiled virtual reality scene during playback of the compiled virtualreality scene. As such, the timing of the second characters reactions,interaction, motion, sound, and/or other actions may be dictated by oneor more users (e.g., the users performing the motion capture, a directororganizing multiple users performing the motion capture for differentcharacters within the compiled virtual reality scene, and/or otherusers).

In some implementations, a user may be able to change the timing,physical placement, scale, and/or other attributes of the motion captureinformation, the compiled virtual reality scene, and/or one or morecharacters and/or objects within the editing scene and/or the compiledvirtual reality scene. Selection component 24 may be configured toreceive selection of one or more changes to one or more portions of themotion capture information and/or the compiled virtual reality scenefrom one or more users.

The compiled virtual reality scene, and/or portions of the compiledvirtual reality scene may be transmitted to one or more computingdevices associated with one or more users for viewing, adding one ormore characters, editing one or more characters, adding and/or editingthe virtual objects, adding and/or editing a virtual scenery theme,and/or for other reasons. In some implementations, one or more users maybe able to asynchronously create and/or define differentialtwo-dimensional portions, three-dimensional and/or 360 portions, and/ormedia content items from the compiled virtual reality scene. The createdand/or defined portions may be transmitted to one or more computingdevices for viewing, sharing, editing, and/or for other reasons.

In some implementations, an editor of the compiled virtual reality scenemay control and/or dictate which users may add to, contribute to, edit,view, and/or otherwise interact with the compiled virtual reality scene.By way of non-limiting example the editor may assign one or more usersto perform the motion capture recordings for one or more characters tobe animated within the compiled virtual reality scene. In someimplementations, the first user may record and/or indicate companioninstructions and/or directions for subsequent users re what they shoulddo and/or record in the scene.

The compiled virtual reality scene may be shared, transmitted, hostedonline, and/or otherwise communicated to one or more computing device(s)12 for viewing by one or more users via one or more display(s) 16. Thepresence of one or more users viewing the compiled virtual reality scenemay be simulated within the compiled virtual reality scene. As such, forexample, the one or more users may be able to look around, move around,walk-through, run-through, and/or otherwise view and/or interact withthe compiled virtual reality scene.

FIG. 10 illustrates a compiled virtual reality scene 1000, in accordancewith one or more implementations. Compiled virtual reality scene 1000may include animation of the first character 902, second character 906,and/or other characters. First character 902, second character 906,and/or other characters may appear animated within compiled virtualreality scene 1000 contemporaneously. In some implementations, themotion, sound, and/or other actions of first character 902 may be basedon first motion capture information. The motion, sound, and/or otheractions of second character intersects may be based on second motioncapture information. In some implementations, the first motion captureinformation and the second motion capture information may be recordedand/or captured asynchronously, be recorded by different computingdevices located at one or more physical locations, characterize themotion and/or sound made by the same user, and/or characterize themotion and/or sound made by different users.

Returning to FIG. 1 , sensors 18 may be configured to generate outputsignals conveying information related to motion, sounds, view direction,location, and/or other actions of the user and/or other information. Theview direction of the user may correspond to a physical direction towardwhich a gaze of the user is directed, an orientation of one or moreparts of the user's body (e.g., the user's head may be tilted, the usermay be leaning over), a position of a user within the virtual space,and/or other directional information. The information related to motion,sounds, and/or other actions of the user may include any motion captureinformation they may be captured in accordance with existing and/orfuture methods. These examples are not intended to be limiting. In someimplementations, sensors 18 may include one or more of a GPS sensor, agyroscope, an accelerometer, an altimeter, a compass, a camera basedsensor, a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, amotion tracking sensor, an inertial sensor, a CCB sensor, an eyetracking sensor, a facial tracking sensor, a body tracking sensor,and/or other sensors.

User interface 14 may be configured to provide an interface betweensystem 10 and the user through which the user may provide information toand receive information from system 10. This enables data, cues,results, and/or instructions and any other communicable items,collectively referred to as “information,” to be communicated betweenthe user and system 10. By way of a non-limiting example, user interface14 may be configured to display the virtual reality content to the user.Examples of interface devices suitable for inclusion in user interfaceinclude one or more controllers, joysticks, track pad, a touch screen, akeypad, touch sensitive and/or physical buttons, switches, a keyboard,knobs, levers, a display (e.g., display 16), speakers, a microphone, anindicator light, a printer, and/or other interface devices. In someimplementations, user interface includes a plurality of separateinterfaces (e.g., multiple displays 16). In some implementations, userinterface 14 includes at least one interface that is provided integrallywith processor 20. In some implementations, user interface 14 may beincluded in computing device 12 (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptopcomputer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a virtual reality headset,etc.) associated with an individual user. In some implementations, userinterface 14 may be included in a first computing device (e.g., avirtual reality headset) that is located remotely from a secondcomputing device (e.g., server 40 shown in FIG. 3 ).

It is to be understood that other communication techniques, eitherhard-wired or wireless, are also contemplated by the present disclosureas user interface 14. For example, the present disclosure contemplatesthat user interface 14 may be integrated with a removable storageinterface provided by electronic storage 30. In this example,information may be loaded into system 10 from removable storage (e.g., asmart card, a flash drive, a removable disk) that enables the user tocustomize the implementation of system 10. Other exemplary input devicesand techniques adapted for use with system 10 as user interface 14include, but are not limited to, an RS-232 port, RF link, an IR link,modem (telephone, cable or other), a USB port, Thunderbolt, a Bluetoothconnection, and/or other input devices and/or techniques. In short, anytechnique for communicating information with system 10 is contemplatedby the present disclosure as user interface 14.

Display 16 may be configured to present the virtual reality content tothe user. Display 16 may be configured to present the virtual realitycontent to the user such that the presented virtual reality contentcorresponds to a view direction of the user. Display 16 may becontrolled by processor 20 to present the virtual reality content to theuser such that the presented virtual reality content corresponds to aview direction, location, and/or physical position of the user. Display16 may include one or more screens, projection devices, threedimensional image generation devices, light field imaging devices thatproject an image onto the back of a user's retina, virtual realitytechnology that utilizes contact lenses, virtual reality technology thatcommunicates directly with (e.g., transmitting signals to and/orreceiving signals from) the brain, and/or other devices configured todisplay the virtual reality content to the user. The one or more screensand/or other devices may be electronically and/or physically coupled,and/or may be separate from each other. As described above, in someimplementations, display 16 may be included in a virtual reality headsetworn by the user. In some implementations, display 16 may be a singlescreen and/or multiple screens included in a computing device 12 (e.g.,a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet computer, adesktop computer, a television set-top box/television, smart TV, agaming system, a virtual reality headset, and/or other devices). In someimplementations, display 16 may include a plurality of screensphysically arranged about a user such that when a user looks indifferent directions, the plurality of screens presents individualportions (e.g., that correspond to specific view directions and/orfields of view) of the virtual reality content to the user on individualscreens.

Processor 20 may be configured to provide information processingcapabilities in system 10. Processor 20 may communicate wirelessly withuser interface 14, sensors 18, electronic storage 30, external resourcesnot shown in FIG. 1 , and/or other components of system 10. In someimplementations, processor 20 may communicate with user interface 14,sensors 18, electronic storage 30, external resources not shown in FIG.1 , and/or other components of system 10 via wires. In someimplementations, processor 20 may be remotely located (e.g., withinserver 40 shown in FIG. 3 ) relative to user interface 14, sensors 18,electronic storage 30, external resources not shown in FIG. 1 , and/orother components of system 10.

Processor 20 may be configured to execute computer program components.The computer program components may be configured to enable an expertand/or user to interface with system 10 and/or provide otherfunctionality attributed herein to user interface 14, sensors 18,electronic storage 30, and/or processor 20. The computer programcomponents may include a display component 22, a selection component 24,a motion capture component 26, a scene generation component 28, and/orother components.

Processor 20 may comprise one or more of a digital processor, an analogprocessor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analogcircuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor20 is shown in FIG. 1 as a single entity, this is for illustrativepurposes only. In some implementations, processor 20 may comprise aplurality of processing units. These processing units may be physicallylocated within the same device (e.g., a server, a desktop computer, alaptop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a virtual realityheadset, and/or other computing devices), or processor 20 may representprocessing functionality of a plurality of devices operating incoordination (e.g., a plurality of servers, a server and a computingdevice 12). Processor 20 may be configured to execute components 22, 24,26, and/or 28 by software; hardware; firmware; some combination ofsoftware, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms forconfiguring processing capabilities on processor 20.

It should be appreciated that although components 22, 24, 26, and 28 areillustrated in FIG. 1 as being co-located within a single processingunit, in implementations in which processor 20 comprises multipleprocessing units, one or more of components 22, 24, 26, and/or 28 may belocated remotely from the other components (e.g., such as within server40 shown in FIG. 3 ). The description of the functionality provided bythe different components 22, 24, 26, and/or 28 described herein is forillustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any ofcomponents 22, 24, 26, and/or 28 may provide more or less functionalitythan is described. For example, one or more of components 22, 24, 26,and/or 28 may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may beprovided by other components 22, 24, 26, and/or 28. As another example,processor 20 may be configured to execute one or more additionalcomponents that may perform some or all of the functionality attributedbelow to one of components 22, 24, 26, and/or 28. In someimplementations, one or more of components 22, 24, 26, and/or 28 may beexecuted by a processor incorporated in a remotely located server,and/or other components of system 10.

Electronic storage 30 may comprise electronic storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronic storage media of theelectronic storage may include one or both of storage that is providedintegrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with the respectivedevice and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to therespective device. Removable storage may include for example, a port ora drive. A port may include a USB port, a firewire port, and/or otherport. A drive may include a disk drive and/or other drive. Electronicstorage may include one or more of optically readable storage media(e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g.,magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electricalcharge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-statestorage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronicallyreadable storage media. The electronic storage may include one or morevirtual storage resources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual privatenetwork, and/or other virtual storage resources). Electronic storage maystore files, software algorithms, information determined by processor(s)20, and/or other information that enables the respective devices tofunction as described herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method 1100 for animating characters based onmotion capture, and/or for playing back individual asynchronous motioncapture recordings as a compiled virtual reality scene, in accordancewith one or more implementations. The operations of method 1100presented below are intended to be illustrative. In someimplementations, method 1100 may be accomplished with one or moreadditional operations not described, and/or without one or more of theoperations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations ofmethod 1100 are respectively illustrated in FIG. 11 and described belowis not intended to be limiting.

In some implementations, method 1100 may be implemented by one or morecomputing devices, and/or in one or more processing devices (e.g., adigital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed toprocess information, an analog circuit designed to process information,a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processinginformation). The one or more processing devices may include one or moredevices executing some or all of the operations of method 1100 inresponse to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storagemedium. The one or more processing devices may include one or moredevices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to bespecifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations ofmethod 1100.

At an operation 1102, output signals may be generated. The outputsignals may convey information related motion, sound, and/or otheractions made by one or more users in physical space. The sensors may beconfigured to capture the motion, the sound, and/or other actions madeby the one or more users. In some implementations, operation 1102 may beperformed by one or more sensors that are the same as or similar tosensors 18 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 1104, virtual reality content may be presented to one ormore users. The virtual reality content may be presented via one or moredisplays. Presentation of the virtual reality content via display maysimulate the presence of a user within a virtual space that is fixedrelative to physical space. The one or more displays maybe. To presentopted for recording the motion, the sound, and/or other actions for oneor more of the characters within the virtual space. In someimplementations, operation 1104 may be performed by a display that isthe same as or similar to display 16 (shown in FIG. 1 and describedherein).

At an operation 1106, selection of a first character to virtually embodywithin the virtual space may be received. Virtually embodying the firstcharacter may enable a first user to record the motion, the sound,and/or other actions to be made by the first character within thecompiled virtual reality scene. Operation may be performed by selectioncomponent that is the same as or similar to selection component 24(shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 1108, a first request to capture the motion, the sound,and/or other actions for the first character may be received. In someimplementations, operation 1108 may be performed by a motion capturecomponent that is the same as or similar to motion capture component 26(shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 1110, first motion capture information may be recorded.The first motion capture information may characterize the motion, thesound, and/or other actions made by the first user as the first uservirtually embodies the first character. The first motion captureinformation may be captured in a manner such that the actions of thefirst user are manifested by the first character within the compiledvirtual reality scene. Operation 1110 may be performed by a motioncapture component that is the same as or similar to motion capturecomponent 26 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 1112, selection of a second character to virtuallyembody may be received. The second character may be separate anddistinct from the first character. Virtually embodying the secondcharacter may enable the first user or another user to record one ormore of the motion, the sound, and/or other actions to be made by thesecond character within the compiled virtual reality scene. Operation1112 may be performed by a motion capture component the same as orsimilar to motion capture component 26 (shown in FIG. 1 and describedherein).

At an operation 1114, a second request to capture the motion, the sound,and/or other actions for the second character may be received. Operation1114 may be performed by a component the same as or similar to selectioncomponent 24 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 1116, second motion capture information may be recorded.The second motion capture information may characterize the motion, thesound, and/or other actions made by the first user or other user as thefirst user or the other user virtually embodies the second character.The second motion capture information may be captured in a manner suchthat the actions of the first user or the other user may be manifestedby the second character contemporaneously with the actions of the firstuser manifested by the first character within the compiled virtualreality scene. Operation 1116 may be performed by a motion capturecomponent the same as or similar to motion capture component 26 (shownin FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 1118, the compiled virtual reality scene may begenerated. The compiled virtual reality scene may include animation ofthe first character, the second character, and/or other characters suchthat the first character and the second character appear animated withinthe compiled virtual reality scene contemporaneously. Operation 1112 maybe performed by a scene generation component the same as or similar toscene generation component 28 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

Although the present technology has been described in detail for thepurpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be themost practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understoodthat such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology isnot limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it isto be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to theextent possible, one or more features of any implementation can becombined with one or more features of any other implementation. Asanother example, the present disclosure contemplates that technologicaladvances in display technology such as light field imaging on the backof a retina, contact lens displays, and/or a display configured tocommunicate with (e.g., transmit signals to and/or receive signals from)a user's brain fall within the scope of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system configured to generate and/or modifythree-dimensional scenes comprising animated characters based onindividual asynchronous motion capture recordings, the systemcomprising: one or more sensors configured to capture motion and/orsound made by one or more users in a physical space and generate outputsignals conveying information related to the motion and/or the soundmade; one or more presentation devices that present virtual realitycontent to one or more users; one or more processors configured bymachine-readable instructions to: receive selection of a first characterand a second character to virtually embody within the virtual space suchthat virtually embodying the first character and the second characterenables a first user to record the motion and/or the sound to be made bythe first character and a second character within a compiled virtualreality scene; record, responsive to the selection of the firstcharacter and the second character, first motion capture informationcharacterizing the motion and/or the sound made by the first user as thefirst user virtually embodies the first character and the secondcharacter, wherein the first motion capture information is captured in amanner such that actions of the first user are manifested by the firstcharacter and the second character within the compiled virtual realityscene; receive selection of a third character to virtually embody,wherein the third character is separate and distinct from the firstcharacter and the second character, and wherein virtually embodying thethird character enables a second user to record the motion and/or thesound to be made by the third character within the compiled virtualreality scene; contemporaneous to the recording of the first motioncapture information, record second motion capture information thatcharacterizes the motion and/or the sound made by the second user asreactions to the motions and/or sounds of the first user virtuallyembodying the first character and second character or cause the motionand/or the sound made by the first user, wherein the second motioncapture information is captured in a manner such that actions of thesecond user are manifested by the third character synchronously with theactions of the first user manifested by the first character and thesecond character within the compiled virtual reality scene; and generatethe compiled virtual reality scene including animation of the firstcharacter, the second character, and the third character such that thefirst character, the second character, and the third character appearanimated within the compiled virtual reality scene contemporaneously. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured by machine-readable instructions to: contemporaneous toreceiving the selection of the third character, receive selection of afourth character to virtually embody, wherein the fourth character isseparate and distinct from the first character, the second character,and the third character, and wherein virtually embodying the fourthcharacter enables a third user to record the motion and/or the sound tobe made by the fourth character within the compiled virtual realityscene; and contemporaneous to recording the first motion captureinformation and the second motion capture information and responsive tothe selection of the fourth character, record third motion captureinformation that characterizes the motion and/or the sound made by thethird user as the third user virtually embodies the fourth character,wherein the third motion capture information is captured in a mannersuch that the actions of the third user are manifested by the fourthcharacter are a reaction to the actions of the first user manifested bythe first character and the second character and the actions of thesecond user manifested by the third character, or cause the motionand/or the sound made by the first user and/or the second user, suchthat the compiled virtual reality scene includes animation of the firstcharacter, the second character, the third character, and the fourthcharacter such that the first character, the second character, the thirdcharacter, and the fourth character appear animated within the compiledvirtual reality scene contemporaneously.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the first user, the second user, and the third user aredifferent.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first user, the seconduser, and the third user are associated with different computing deviceslocated at different physical locations.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the virtual reality content includes an editing scene, whereinthe editing scene is an editing version of the compiled scene that ispresented to the one or more users while recording motion captureinformation for one or more characters, wherein the editing sceneincludes the manifestation of the first user's actions by the firstcharacter and the second character presented contemporaneously to thesecond user while the second motion capture information is beingrecorded, and wherein the displays are configured to present the editingscene including one or more manifestations of the one or more users'actions by the one or more characters based on previously recordedmotion capture information while recording subsequent motion captureinformation characterizing the motion and/or the sound made by the usersas the users virtually embody the one or more characters.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured bymachine-readable instructions to receive selection of a start timewithin a timeline of the compiled scene that indicates when the firstcharacter and the second character should start manifesting the actionsof the first user within the compiled virtual reality scene duringplayback of the compiled virtual reality scene.
 7. The system of claim1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured bymachine-readable instructions to receive selection of one or morevirtual objects, virtual scenery themes, and/or virtual scenery itemsfor placement within an editing scene to be reflected in the compiledvirtual reality scene.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured by machine-readable instructions toreceive selection of a first facial expression for the first characterand the second character, such that the first motion capture informationincludes the first facial expression for the first character and thesecond character, and one or more of the actions of the first user aremanifested in the compiled virtual reality scene by the first characterand the second character with the first facial expression.
 9. A methodto generate and/or modify three-dimensional scenes comprising animatedcharacters based on individual asynchronous motion capture recordings,the method being implemented by one or more sensors, displays, and/orprocessors configured to perform the method, the method comprising:generating, by the one or more sensors configured to capture motionand/or sound made by one or more users in a physical space, outputsignals conveying information related to the motion and/or the soundmade; presenting, via the one or more presentation devices, virtualreality content to one or more users; receiving, at the one or moreprocessors, selection of a first character and a second character tovirtually embody within the virtual space such that virtually embodyingthe first character and the second character enables a first user torecord the motion and/or the sound to be made by the first character andthe second character within a compiled virtual reality scene; recording,at the one or more processors, responsive to the selection of the firstcharacter and the second character, first motion capture informationcharacterizing the motion and/or the sound made by the first user as thefirst user virtually embodies the first character and the secondcharacter, wherein the first motion capture information is captured in amanner such that actions of the first user are manifested by the firstcharacter and the second character within the compiled virtual realityscene; receiving, at the one or more processors, selection of a thirdcharacter to virtually embody, wherein the third character is separateand distinct from the first character and the second character, andwherein virtually embodying the third character enables a second user torecord the motion and/or the sound to be made by the third characterwithin the compiled virtual reality scene; contemporaneous to therecording of the first motion capture information, recording, by the oneor more processors, second motion capture information that characterizesthe motion and/or the sound made by the second user as reactions to themotions and/or sounds of the first user virtually embodies the firstcharacter and second character or cause the motion and/or the sound madeby the first user, wherein the second motion capture information iscaptured in a manner such that actions of the second user are manifestedby the third character synchronously with the actions of the first usermanifested by the first character and the second character within thecompiled virtual reality scene; and generating, by the one or moreprocessors, the compiled virtual reality scene including animation ofthe first character, the second character, and the third character suchthat the first character, the second character, and the third characterappear animated within the compiled virtual reality scenecontemporaneously.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:contemporaneous to receiving the selection of the third character,receiving, at the one or more processors, selection of a fourthcharacter to virtually embody, wherein the fourth character is separateand distinct from the first character, the second character, and thethird character, and wherein virtually embodying the fourth characterenables a third user to record the motion and/or the sound to be made bythe fourth character within the compiled virtual reality scene; andcontemporaneous to recording the first motion capture information andthe second motion capture information and responsive to the selection ofthe fourth character, recording, by the one or more processors, thirdmotion capture information that characterizes the motion and/or thesound made by the third user as the third user virtually embodies thefourth character, wherein the third motion capture information iscaptured in a manner such that the actions of the third user aremanifested by the fourth character are a reaction to the actions of thefirst user manifested by the first character and the second characterand the actions of the second user manifested by the third character, orcause the motion and/or the sound made by the first user and/or thesecond user, such that the compiled virtual reality scene includesanimation of the first character, the second character, the thirdcharacter, and the fourth character such that the first character, thesecond character, the third character, and the fourth character appearanimated within the compiled virtual reality scene contemporaneously.11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first user, the second user, andthe third user are different.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thefirst user, the second user, and the third user are associated withdifferent computing devices located at different physical locations. 13.The method of claim 9, wherein the virtual reality content includes anediting scene, wherein the editing scene is an editing version of thecompiled scene that is presented to the one or more users whilerecording motion capture information for one or more characters, whereinthe editing scene includes the manifestation of the first user's actionsby the first character and the second character presentedcontemporaneously to the second user while the second motion captureinformation is being recorded, and wherein the displays are configuredto present the editing scene including one or more manifestations of theone or more users' actions by the one or more characters based onpreviously recorded motion capture information while recordingsubsequent motion capture information characterizing the motion and/orthe sound made by the users as the users virtually embody the one ormore characters.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprisingreceiving, at the one or more processors, selection of a start timewithin a timeline of the compiled scene that indicates when the firstcharacter and the second character should start manifesting the actionsof the first user within the compiled virtual reality scene duringplayback of the compiled virtual reality scene.
 15. The method of claim9, further comprising receiving, at the one or more processors,selection of one or more virtual objects, virtual scenery themes, and/orvirtual scenery items for placement within an editing scene to bereflected in the compiled virtual reality scene.
 16. The method of claim9, further comprising receiving, at the one or more processors,selection of a first facial expression for the first character and thesecond character, such that the first motion capture informationincludes the first facial expression for the first character and thesecond character, and one or more of the actions of the first user aremanifested in the compiled virtual reality scene by the first characterand the second character with the first facial expression.